Device and method for removal, storage and disposal of paint roller covers (or sleeves)

ABSTRACT

Included are a device and methods for removing, storing and disposing of a paint roller cover. The method includes providing a receptacle for receiving a paint roller cover, the receptacle having at least one open end and a resealable closure. The receptacle is opened and the paint roller cover is placed in the receptacle. The sleeve is then removed from the paint roller handle and the receptacle is then sealed. The receptacle containing the paint roller cover may then be stored until needed or disposed of.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and method for removing, storing and/or disposing of used paint roller covers which maintains the paint in a fresh state for re-use of the cover and avoids the mess associated with the removal, storage and disposal of used paint covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

The removal, storage and cleaning of paint roller covers after a painting process is a highly undesirable and time consuming process and is often ignored by the user leading to the destruction of the paint roller cover as the paint material sets. In many cases the same paint roller cover is intended to be used with the same paint material after a waiting period, for example, while a first coat of the paint material sets, overnight, after work is finished, or even during a lunch break. In most cases, it is necessary to clean the cover during these delay periods since otherwise the paint material will set on the cover leading to its degradation or complete destruction.

Another problem with the painting is the mess associated with the cleaning process. At the completion of a painting job, items used in the process must either be cleaned or disposed of. In a situation where keeping the used painting item is not an issue, it is desirable to remove and dispose of the item in such a manner that will reduce the mess and exposure of fresh paint to unpainted surfaces such as hands, garbage cans, etc.

Therefore, there is a need for a device and method which meet the needs of removal, storage and disposal of the item, such as a paint roller cover container which reduces the mess and time associated with cleaning the paint roller cover and may also be used for the storage and ultimate disposal of the paint roller cover if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device and method for removing, storing and/or disposing of a paint roller cover. The method includes providing a receptacle for receiving a paint roller cover. The receptacle has at least one open end and a resealable closure. The receptacle is opened and the paint roller cover is placed in the receptacle. The cover is then removed from the paint roller handle. The receptacle is then sealed for storage or disposal.

Also provided is a method for removing, storing or disposing of a paint roller cover including providing a receptacle for receiving a paint roller cover, wherein the receptacle includes (i) interior and exterior surfaces; (ii) two sides and two ends; (iii) an opening in one of the ends; (iv) said opening including a resealable closure; (v) the receptacle has a length and a width, wherein the length corresponds to the sides and the width corresponds to the ends; and (vi) the length is greater than the width. The receptacle is then opened and the paint roller cover is placed into the receptacle. The process of placing the paint roller cover into the receptacle includes (i) inverting the receptacle over a grasping device to expose the interior surface of the receptacle; (ii) placing the paint roller cover into the receptacle; (iii) applying pressure to the paint roller cover through the receptacle using the grasping device to remove the paint roller cover from a paint roller handle; and (iv) reinverting the receptacle to cover the paint roller cover. The receptacle is then sealed and the paint roller cover may be stored until needed or disposed of.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-5 are perspective views of a receptacle for use in the present methods at various stages of the methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “paint roller cover” as used herein refers to the surface to which paint is applied prior to a “roller” application. Paint roller covers are also known as “roller covers,” “paint roller sleeves” and “roller sleeves.”

The methods of the present invention include methods of removing, storing or disposing of a paint roller cover while reducing or eliminating the normal mess associated with the tasks. The method includes first obtaining a receptacle capable of accommodating the paint roller cover. The receptacle may be as simple as a plastic bag and may be of any configuration and size that will accommodate a paint roller cover. Desirably, the receptacle is an efficiently-sized plastic bag which is adapted to lengthwise accommodate a paint roller cover which may still be attached to a paint roller handle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the methods include inverting or folding down at least a portion of the receptacle 1, to expose a portion of the interior 2 of the receptacle 1. The receptacle 1 is then expanded by inserting a hand 7 into the interior 2 of the receptacle 1. The paint roller cover 3 is then placed into the receptacle 1. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the receptacle 1 is folded back onto itself from the opening 4 which exposes a portion of the interior 2 of the receptacle 1. The receptacle 1 may then be grasped or pinched at a corner 5 of the opening 4 as the paint roller cover 3 is carefully placed into the receptacle 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the paint roller handle 6 is then removed by grasping the paint roller cover 3 through the receptacle 1 and pulling the cover 3 off the handle 6 by using a grasping device 7, such as a hand. The receptacle 1 is then unfolded and sealed at the resealable closure 8 at the opening 4 of the receptacle 1 as in FIG. 5. Depending upon the type of seal used, the handle may not need to be removed in order to ensure that an air-tight seal is achieved. For example, if an adhesive seal is used, an airtight seal may be achieved while the handle is still attached to the cover.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 the receptacle 1 is folded down or inverted over a grasping device 7 such as a hand, a clamp, or any other suitable grasping means. By inverting the receptacle to cover the grasping device, unnecessary paint contact and thus “mess” are reduced or eliminated. If desired, the grasping device may also be used to remove the paint roller cover from the paint roller handle.

Receptacles suitable for use with the present invention may be selected of any size and shape which will allow for a paint roller cover to be contained inside. The receptacle may be made of any material having gas/moisture barrier properties, including laminates of two or more layers. Useful material for manufacture of the receptacle include polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate) and combinations thereof. Other materials may be used in the composition of the receptacle or laminate as desired. Desirably, the receptacle includes a flexible plastic material.

The receptacle will also be open on at least one end and include a sealing means for the opening(s). The resealable closure may be selected from any suitable adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive or a mechanical means. Examples of mechanical means include tongue-in-groove zipper type closures such as those included on Ziploc® bags by Dow.

While there have been described what are presently believed to be the certain desirable embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to include all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A method for removing, storing or disposing of a paint roller cover comprising: (a) providing a receptacle for removing and receiving a paint roller cover; wherein said receptacle has one open end; said open end having a resealable closure; (b) opening said receptacle; (c) placing said paint roller cover into said receptacle; (d) removing said receptacle containing the cover from the paint roller handle; (e) sealing said receptacle; and (f) storing or disposing of said cover and receptacle.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises (i) interior and exterior surfaces; (ii) two sides and two ends; (iii) a length and a width, wherein said length corresponds to said sides and said width corresponds to said ends; and (iv) said length is greater than said width.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said resealable closure is at one or both of said ends.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate), and combinations thereof.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a flexible plastic material.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said resealable closure is selected from the group consisting of adhesives and mechanical devices.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a tongue-in-groove zipper-type closure, a twister-type tie, and a clip.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein step (c) comprises: (i) inverting at least a portion of said receptacle to expose said interior surface of said receptacle; (ii) placing said paint roller cover into said receptacle; (iii) applying pressure to said paint roller cover using a grasping device to remove said paint roller cover from a paint roller handle; and (iv) reinverting said receptacle to cover said paint roller cover.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said inverting step comprises folding the opening of the receptacle over itself and said reinverting step comprises unfolding said receptacle.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said inverting step comprises folding the bag over said grasping device.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein said grasping device is selected from the group consisting of a hand or a clamp.
 12. A method for removing, storing or disposing of a paint roller cover comprising: (a) providing a receptacle for receiving a paint roller cover; wherein said receptacle comprises (i) interior and exterior surfaces; (ii) two sides and two ends; (iii) an opening in one of said ends; (iv) said opening including a resealable closure; (v) said receptacle having a length and a width, wherein said length corresponds to said sides and said width corresponds to said ends; and (vi) said length is greater than said width (b) opening said receptacle; (c) placing said paint roller cover into said receptacle by: (i) inverting at least a portion of said receptacle over a grasping device to expose said interior surface of said receptacle; (ii) placing said paint roller cover into said receptacle; (iii) applying pressure to said paint roller cover using said grasping device to remove said paint roller cover from a paint roller handle; (iv) reinverting said receptacle to cover said paint roller cover; (d) sealing said receptacle; and (e) storing or disposing of said receptacle.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said grasping device is selected from the group consisting of a hand or a clamp.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said resealable closure is at one or both of said ends.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said receptacle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate), and combinations thereof.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein said receptacle comprises a flexible plastic material.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein said resealable closure is selected from the group consisting of adhesives and mechanical devices.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said mechanical device is a tongue-in-groove zipper-type closure. 